At 6:30 pm, I found an adult great Back-backed Gull at Kilowatt South,
perched among a group of Mallards on a protruding snag north of the boat
launch peninsula, looking for all the world as if it belonged there. On
another snag along the NH shore was an immature Double-crested Cormorant.

Minutes later a Merlin appeared flying high across the river from the VT
side. It suddenly changed course, banked and went into a stoop, then dove
on the now-flying cormorant, which made an abrupt and unscheduled plunge
into the river to escape the little fighter jet, which was <1/2 the body
size and probably weighed ~1/4 as much.

The Merlin then chose more appropriate prey and went after 2 Eastern
Kingbirds that were apparently hawking insects 250-300 feet in the air over
the Kilowatt parking lot. I watched in fascination for a full 2+ minutes as
the Merlin repeatedly tried to get above the birds and dive down on them.
Each time it closed, whichever kingbird it was chasing made a masterful
last-second maneuver to avoid capture. Amazingly, neither kingbird ever
sought the refuge of treetops, despite what seemed like several
opportunities to duck into them. The pursuit continued until all 3 birds
flew out of sight.

Chris

________________________

Chris Rimmer
Vermont Center for Ecostudies
PO Box 420 | Norwich, Vermont 05055
802.649.1431 x1
http://vtecostudies.org/

<http://vtecostudies.org/>


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